Tashkent Sightseeing Guide

November 5, 2026

Tashkent’s landmarks fall into two groups: the Old City around Chorsu Bazaar and Hazrati Imam Square, and the civic centre rebuilt after the 1966 earthquake. A day for each group covers the main sights. Many of the modernist buildings in the second group gained UNESCO status in July 2026.

Amir Temur Square

The square is the usual starting point. It holds the equestrian statue of Timur and the Tashkent Chimes, a clock tower from 1947 whose mechanism is said to have come from Germany after the Second World War; an exact replica tower was added in 2009. The State Museum of the History of the Temurids on the square reopened on 9 April 2026 after a large renovation, with nine main halls. Check opening hours and ticket prices locally before you plan around the museum.

Hotel Uzbekistan, opened in 1974, faces the square and is a good example of Soviet modernist design from the period. It is not on the UNESCO list.

State Museum of History of Uzbekistan

Founded in 1876, the museum now occupies a building from 1970. It closed in June 2024 and reopened in July 2026 with a renewed, multimedia exhibition. Among its holdings is a Buddha relief from Fayaz Tepe near Termez. The building is one of the ten UNESCO-inscribed properties. Check current hours and tickets before you go.

Chorsu Bazaar and the Old City

Chorsu Bazaar’s blue dome dates from 1980 and also carries UNESCO status. Opposite the bazaar is Chorsu metro station. Nearby, Kukeldash Madrasah, built about 1570, is a working madrasah again, so treat a visit as a courtesy call and expect access hours to vary. Hazrati Imam Square is a short taxi ride away.

Hazrati Imam Square and the Center of Islamic Civilization

The square combines the 16th-century Barak-Khan Madrasah, the Tilla Sheikh Mosque and the Friday mosque from 2007. The Center of Islamic Civilization, opened in March 2026 at Karasaray Street 89A, shows the Uthman Quran in its Qur’an Hall; a foreign adult ticket is about USD 25. Dress modestly everywhere on the square and keep quiet near worshippers.

Tashkent TV Tower

The tower rises 375 m and was completed in the mid 1980s. Its observation deck is at 97 m, and a restaurant sits above it. Entry in recent sources is about 40,000 to 60,000 UZS, with hours of roughly 10:00 to 20:00.

Memorials and mosques

The Courage Monument commemorates the earthquake of 26 April 1966, which left 200,000 to 300,000 people homeless. It is a solemn place, so keep a respectful distance during wreath-laying. The Minor Mosque by the Ankhor canal is open to visitors outside prayer times with modest dress.

Independence Square

The city’s main ceremonial plaza is a short walk from the civic centre. It is free to enter and works well in the evening when the heat eases.

Planning notes

Use the metro for the long hops: 2,500 UZS with a card, 3,000 UZS in cash. Kosmonavtlar station is itself a UNESCO-listed property. Browse guided options on Viator , and read the Tashkent Chimes page for background on the clock tower. The tourism portal lists more sights.